Plastic Component

ABSTRACT

A plastic component includes a main part and a holding element having an anchoring portion and a holding portion. The diameter of the anchoring portion is greater than that of the holding portion and is embedded in or integrated into the main part in an interlocking and/or integrally bonded manner. The holding portion protrudes from the main part.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of PCT International Application No.PCT/EP2014/073821, filed Nov. 5, 2014, which claims priority under 35U.S.C. §119 from German Patent Application No. 10 2014 200 772.0, filedJan. 17, 2014, the entire disclosures of which are herein expresslyincorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a plastic component with a main part and atleast one holding element.

In the automotive field, fiber-reinforced plastic components are oftenused to replace metal components. Provided on the plastic components areholding elements for additional components. The holding elements have,for example, an indexing bolt, a screw thread, or another suitableholding geometry to fasten the additional components.

With the metal components used to date, such holding elements could befastened in a simple fashion, for example by welding or soldering.However, attaching these holding elements to plastic components requiresa much higher effort. For example, after producing the plasticcomponent, the holding element can be glued onto the same. However, thefirmness of that adhesive connection is often not sufficient. Anotheroption is creating a positive connection by introducing a bore into thecomponent and guiding the holding element from a rear side through thecomponent until a widened flange of the holding element sits close onthe rear side of the component. However, this process leads to aweakening of the component because of the boring.

Furthermore, both processes require additional work steps that make theproduction of the plastic components more expensive.

The object of the invention is to provide a plastic component with amain part and at least one holding element, which facilitates a simpleand quick production as well as stable connection between the main partand the holding element.

To attain the object of the invention, a plastic component is providedhaving a main part and at least one holding element, which has ananchoring portion and a holding portion. The anchoring portion has anenlarged diameter relative to the holding portion and is embedded orintegrated in the main part in a positive and/or firmly bonded manner.The holding portion protrudes from the main part. With thisconstruction, the anchoring portion is held positively within the mainpart of the plastic component so that a reliable connection is createdbetween the main part and the holding element. Furthermore, noadditional work steps are required after the plastic component has beenproduced. Because furthermore, the anchoring portion is not glued to thecomponent and no borings are required in the component, a smooth andeven surface of the plastic component is created without additionalreworking.

Preferably, the anchoring portion is formed by a plate that runsperpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the holding portion.Such a plate also allows for a good pressure and, therefore, loaddistribution of the forces acting on the holding portion of the holdingelement on the plastic component. The size and form of the plate can beadapted depending on the intended use or the forces to be expected. Forexample, the plate may be designed angularly to allow, in addition, abetter take-up of torques acting on the holding portion.

Alternately, the anchoring portion may also be formed by a plurality oflongitudinal webs that are arranged radially relative to one another.The spaces between the webs can be filled with the material of the mainpart, therefore creating a better interlocking between holding elementand main part. The webs furthermore allow for a better load distributionof the forces acting on the holding element to the main part and abetter take-up of torsional forces.

Instead of the longitudinal webs, the anchoring portion can also beformed by a plurality of interlocked elements that are, in particular,arranged on one plane, in particular spheres. The elements can bearranged and interlocked depending on the load to be taken up and theform of the plastic component, therefore making it possible to adapt theanchoring portion to curved or bent plastic components as well.

For example, the holding portion of the holding element may have a screwthread to be able to fasten a screw at the holding element. Preferably,however, the holding portion has an indexing structure. The indexingstructure may be developed rotation-symmetrically so that a componentcan be placed on the holding portion with any orientation. Furthermore,because the component is rotatable relative to the holding portion, notorques about the longitudinal axis of the holding element, which couldlead to a detachment of the anchoring portion in the main part, can betransmitted to the holding portion and therefore the holding element.

For example, the holding portion can have one or a plurality ofinterlocked spheres. Said spheres have the advantage that a componentcan be placed on the sphere with a corresponding cup-shaped seat, whichallows a rotation as well as a tilting of the component about the sphereof the holding portion. In addition to the movable seat, anotheradvantage is that such a holding portion cannot exert a torque on theholding element and/or the anchoring portion so that the anchoringportion is reliably protected against torques acting on the same.

If the holding portion is formed by a plurality of spheres, the spherescan be interlocked prior to production. However, it is also possible toconnect only one sphere to the anchoring portion and place the remainingspheres on the sphere connected to the anchoring portion after theproduction of the plastic component and connect them to the same and/oreach other, for example by welding. In principle, only part of theholding portion can be fastened at the anchoring portion so that theholding portion protrudes from the main part after production of theplastic component. The remaining part of the holding portion can bemounted thereafter. If the holding portion is made of metal, this can bedone by welding or soldering, for example.

Preferably, the plastic component is a fiber-reinforced plasticcomponent with integrated fiber layers, which means that it canwithstand higher loads.

For example, the anchoring portion is arranged between the fiber layersso that it is better integrated in the main part of the plasticcomponent and can transmit higher loads.

Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present inventionwill become apparent from the following detailed description of one ormore preferred embodiments when considered in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a plastic component according to anembodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 2a to 2c are detailed views of the holding element of the plasticcomponent in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a mold for producing the plastic component in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 4a to 4d illustrates process steps of an alternate process forproducing the plastic component in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 5a and 5b illustrate a second embodiment of a holding element forthe plastic component in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 6a and 6b illustrate a third embodiment of a holding element forthe plastic component in FIG. 1; and

FIGS. 7a and 7b illustrate a fourth embodiment of a holding element forthe plastic component in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a plastic component 10, having a main part 12 formed of aplastic material 14 as well as a plurality of fiber layers 16. Theplastic component 10 furthermore has a holding element 18, portions ofwhich, as is explained in the following, are embedded or integrated inthe main part 12.

As is shown in the FIGS. 2a to 2c , the holding element 18 has anelongated holding portion 20 with a holding geometry 22 to which afurther component can be fastened, as well as an anchoring portion 24that is cast in the main part 12 of the plastic component 10.

The holding portion 20 of the holding element 18 is formed of twointerconnected spheres 26, which form the holding geometry 22. At theupper sphere relative to FIG. 1, an additional component with acup-shaped seat can be fastened. However, it is also possible that saidseating engages both spheres 26.

The anchoring portion 24 is formed of a plurality of spheres 28, whichare smaller compared to the spheres 26 and, in the embodiment, arrangedcross-shaped and interlocked. The anchoring portion 24 is fastened tothe holding portion 20 radially opposite the connecting point 30 atwhich the two spheres 26 of the holding portion are interlocked, so thatthe plane in which the sphere 28 is arranged runs perpendicularly to thelongitudinal axis L of the holding portion 20.

As shown in FIG. 1, the anchoring portion 24 is embedded in the mainpart 12 of the plastic component 10, so that the anchoring portion isconnected to the main part 12 in a positive and firmly bonded manner.This creates a stable connection between the main part 12 and theholding element 18.

A mold 32 for producing such a plastic component is shown in FIG. 3. Themold 32 has a receiving space 34 that essentially corresponds to theplastic component 10. Furthermore, at the interior wall of the mold 32,a receiver 36 is provided, which can accommodate the holding element 18and/or the holding portion 20 of the holding element 18.

The receiver 36 is positioned at the mold 32 in such a fashion that theholding element 18 can be embedded in the main part 12 in the desiredposition when the mold 32 is filled with a liquid plastic material. Tothat end, the anchoring portion 24 protrudes from the receiver 36 intothe receiving space 34 when the holding element 18 is inserted in thereceiver 36 so that the plastic material 14 can enclose said receivingspace 34.

To produce the plastic component 10, the holding element 18 is insertedinto the receiver 36 in a first step. Then the fiber layers 16 areplaced into the mold 32, the mold 32 is closed and filled with a liquidplastic material 14. After the plastic material 14 has hardened, thefinished plastic component 10 can be removed from the mold 32.

To achieve an optimal integration of the anchoring portion 24 in themain part 12, the anchoring portion 24 is preferably arranged betweenthe fiber layers 16. This can be done, for example, by inserting aplurality of fiber layers 16 into the mold 32 before the holding element18 is introduced into the receiver 36, and the holding element 18 ispressed through the fiber layers 16 into the receiver 36. To that end,appropriate recesses that correspond to the receiver 36 can be providedin the fiber layers 16. However, it is also possible for the holdingportion 20 to displace the fibers of the fiber layers 16 when pressedinto the receiver 36.

An alternate production process for the plastic component 10 shown inFIG. 1 is shown in the FIGS. 4a to 4d . In this embodiment, only onesphere 26 of the holding portion 20 is connected to the anchoringportion 24 (FIG. 4a ).

Accordingly, a receiver 36 is provided in the mold 32, which canaccommodate only one sphere 26 (FIG. 4c ). The production process occursanalogously to the production process described in FIG. 3.

After the main part 12 has hardened, the plastic component 10 is removedfrom the mold and the second sphere 26 of the holding portion 20 isconnected to the first sphere 26, for example by welding it to the same.

The anchoring portion 24 can be developed randomly to create a firmbonding and positive connection between main part 12 and holding element18. In particular, it has an optimally large area so that a broad loaddistribution onto the main part 12 is possible.

The FIGS. 5a and 5b show a second embodiment of a holding element 18.With this holding element 18 as well, the holding portion 20 is formedby one or two spheres 26. The anchoring portion 24, on the other hand,is formed by a plurality of radially arranged webs 38 that intersectwith the holding portion 20 in the connecting point 40 of the anchoringportion 24.

This embodiment, as well as the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2a to 2c , hasthe advantage that the intermediate spaces between the webs 38 and/orthe spheres 28 can be filled with plastic material so as to betterintegrate the anchoring portion 24 in the main part 12.

The embodiment of a holding element 18 shown in FIGS. 6a and 6b , on theother hand, have a plate-shaped anchoring portion 24, which is round inthis embodiment.

So as to be able to transmit additional torques to the holding element18, such a plate-shaped anchoring portion 24 can also be developedrectangular, as is shown in the embodiment in FIGS. 7a and 7 b.

In the embodiments shown, the holding portion 20 is, in each case,formed by one or two spheres 26. The use of spheres has the advantagethat a very flexible attachment of an additional component is possiblebecause the component can be rotated and, to a limited extent, tiltedabout the seat with which the component is attached at the holdingportion 20.

However, it is also possible to use other suitable holding portions 20or holding geometries, for example with an indexing structure or aholding geometry that allows a torsion-proof fastening of the componentat the plastic component.

The foregoing disclosure has been set forth merely to illustrate theinvention and is not intended to be limiting. Since modifications of thedisclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit and substance of theinvention may occur to persons skilled in the art, the invention shouldbe construed to include everything within the scope of the appendedclaims and equivalents thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A plastic component, comprising: a main part; anda holding element, the holding element comprising an anchoring portionand a holding portion, wherein the anchoring portion has a diametergreater than the holding portion, the anchoring portion is embedded inthe main part in an interlocking and/or integrally bonded manner, andthe holding portion protrudes from the main part.
 2. The plasticcomponent according to claim 1, wherein the anchoring portion is formedby a plate.
 3. The plastic component according to claim 1, wherein theanchoring portion is formed by a plurality of longitudinal websextending radially relative to one another.
 4. The plastic componentaccording to claim 1, wherein the anchoring portion is formed by aplurality of interlocking elements arranged in one plane.
 5. The plasticcomponent according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of interlockingelements are spheres.
 6. The plastic component according to claim 1,wherein the holding portion has an indexing structure.
 7. The plasticcomponent according to claim 1, wherein the holding portion comprisesone or more interlocking spheres.
 8. The plastic component according toclaim 1, wherein the plastic component is a fiber-reinforced plasticcomponent having a plurality of fiber layers integrated in the mainpart.
 9. The plastic component according to claim 8, wherein theanchoring portion is arranged between respective ones of the pluralityof fiber layers.